Fred and George and the Toilers of Trouble (Year 1) ✔

Chapter 17:1

THE NOTORIOUS JINX

The twins could hear them whispering stridently beyond the open infirmary doors.

"They're lucky to be alive," Professor McGonagall said under her breath.

From the shadowed corridor, Albus Dumbledore peered curiously at Fred over his half-moon spectacles. "The flood waters. That was a rather complex magic."

A sharp-nosed professor with waist-length, auburn hair, who they knew to be Professor Mulligan, the Ancient Runes teacher, leaned forward. "I have great difficulty accepting that a first year could perform such feats. It would have to be in the realm of the Dark Arts, wouldn't you say?"

"We should consult with Professor Parsimonae on this."

Kettleburn murmured something that sounded like a growl. It was drowned out in the endless whirring of his gears.

Dumbledore's curious expression shifted to doubt. "As it stands, the explanation of why the east wing of the ground floor corridor was inundated with water will not be disclosed to the students."

"I agree," Professor Snape remarked. He dropped his voice and stared menacingly at the boys. They failed to hear the remainder of his argument.

"Even so," said Mulligan worriedly. "Were it possible, they could not have done so on their own. They wouldn't know where to begin."

"He would," bellowed Kettleburn. The Care of Magical Creatures professor nodded toward Angelina's cot across the infirmary from the twins, where Hagrid was standing with Angelina's Gryffindor scarf draped over his massive hands.

Dumbledore shook his head firmly. "Hagrid? That is quite the accusation, Sylvanus. As you know, Rubeus never completed his lessons. Nor does he own a wand."

"Anyone ever searched that hut of his?" Kettleburn pressed.

"Enough babbling," said Snape with a hiss. "It is clear, Albus, that they either learned magic in secret at home, or they are being aided through more nefarious means." Fred nervously moved a hand over the pocket of his robe where both the Marauder's Map and the Invisibility Cloak were hidden. "These two came to Hogwarts hell bent on causing chaos. There is no question! They are the Toilers of Trouble. Expel them, Headmaster."

The doors to the infirmary closed with a slam. Madam Pomfrey lowered her wand, discharging an irritated breath. "I've heard quite enough of that..." She approached George's cot steadily. He winced at the sound of her footsteps reverberating in the high room. "Head still ringing, Mister Weasley? As I told you this morning, you were in the water for some time. Significant pressure on the eardrums due to the nature of the spell, it would seem."

"He'll survive," said Fred.

"Yeah, I'll be all right," George agreed.

"Will you now? You gave us all quite a scare," she interjected, with a piercing glower. "It's simply a miracle that you survived — you could have died!" Madam Pomfrey was not interested in hiding her frustration over the fact that there were first years in the hospital wing, yet again. "Count yourselves lucky that Hagrid was nearby. He had to do a bit of swimming to pull her free, of course, to prevent her being dragged into the lake by that loathsome squid! Why Dumbledore hasn't had that monstrosity removed... Called it sweet... She almost drowned, I'll have you know!" The matron gazed back at Angelina with motherly tenderness in her eyes. "Poor dear, second time in the hospital wing." She rounded on the boys, her disdainful expression tightening. "Should I be surprised that the Weasley twins were involved in both cases?"